Wahoo KickR
Set up In the blink of an eye. All you have to do is open two quick-release fasteners, then the KickR spreads the two legs that can be swivelled out to the side and stands securely even on slightly uneven ground thanks to the adjustable feet. Mountain bikes can also be mounted thanks to the tilt adjustment. Shimano and SRAM cassettes fit on the standard rotor, Campa riders have to pay an extra 50 euros for the special rotor.
Switch on As soon as the power cable is plugged in, the trainer can be paired with the Wahoo Fitness app as a data source. This works smoothly on all devices, although you should calibrate it daily.
Pedalling Exemplary. As on the road, you have to overcome a certain amount of resistance at the beginning, the large flywheel mass creates the feeling of coasting when idling. At the start of the sprint, there is a real initial resistance, but when the desired wattage is reached, the inertia creates an even pedalling sensation in the legs. Even in short breaks between two sprint intervals, the pedalling movement remains fluid and realistic. The accuracy of the watt values increases with increasing operating temperature.
Disturbance The belt-driven American is louder than the Tacx and the new Drivo from Elite. The noise level rises slowly, the high-pitched sound seems louder than the maximum 69 decibels would suggest.
Wahoo Fitness App
The Wahoo Fitness app has matured over the years. It could be installed quickly and smoothly on several end devices. It is the only one of the three that can also be used for other sports such as running. The app is clearly organised and even beginners can quickly find their way around the flat menu structure. All nearby sensors are clearly listed, each with an indication of whether it is a Bluetooth or ANT+ sensor. The sensors can be saved separately for the desired sport and quickly deleted again if you want to use a different sensor.
The Wahoo app also harmonises with the Neo Smart from Tacx; the watt values were not displayed on the Elite trainer. The main training types according to heart rate or watts are easy to configure, as is the customisation of the display with the values. In addition to the pre-installed layouts, others can be downloaded from the Internet. After training, the data logs are stored chronologically in the history, making them easy to find. From there or directly after training, the training data can be sent by email in all common formats, for example to be analysed using analysis software.
Tacx Neo Smart
Set up The trainer comes fully assembled in the box. Thanks to four quick-release fasteners, it can be set up in seconds and stowed away compactly just as quickly. There is no levelling, but the Tacx is still stable. The rotor accepts all standard cassette formats, and a Campa tool is required to fit the Edco lockring. A front wheel support is also included.
Switch on When the power supply unit is connected, an LED signals that the device is ready for operation. Due to the purely electronic resistance control with magnets without a flywheel, subsequent calibration is not necessary. Regardless of the operating time, the Neo Smart delivers the best watt data in the test when compared with the power meter. Coupling with the Tacx cycling app works without any problems, as it does with third-party programmes.
Pedalling Although the Tacx has hardly any flywheel mass, the pedalling feel is very realistic. The electronics immediately control the magnetic brake very quickly and precisely in the respective training programme. Even during hard sprints, the feedback to the legs is very realistic, it feels real. This also applies to coasting when the electronics switch to drive, which feels like a gentle downhill ride. Without power, the Neo Smart works like a progressive exercise bike that increases resistance as the speed increases, although this mode does not simulate descending.
Disturbance The Tacx is comparatively quiet, the noise is not annoying and at 120 pedal revolutions per minute and 500 watts of power it rises to a maximum of just 59 decibels.
Tacx Cycling App
Years ago, Tacx began to spice up indoor training with videos or virtual 3D offers for a fee. The premium version is still available, but costs an extra 125 euros for one year. The offers can still be downloaded for a fee via the current cycling app. Otherwise, the Tacx app for tablets is free of charge and is also available in a slimmed-down version for smartphones. It is clearly laid out and easy to use. A status bar provides constant information about the charging status of the end device, Wi-Fi connection and whether BT+ or ANT+ sensors are paired. The overview is helpful as you can quickly identify possible errors in data transmission. The range of preset training programmes is also clear and well organised, with a choice of special incline, power and heart rate-based workouts. Individual workouts can be created, graphically analysed and saved with just a few clicks. At the time of testing, the iPad app still had the disadvantage that, unlike the Android version, recorded training data could not be converted and saved as a file. When asked, Tacx did not yet have a solution for this. The iPhone version works, but it offers a smaller range of functions and is not as clear as the tablet version.
Tacx Flux Smart
With a recommended retail price of 799, the Neo Smart's little brother is the most affordable smart trainer in the Tacx family. The low price for a samrt device naturally means small compromises in terms of scope of delivery and resistance, but the pedalling feel is on the same high level as you would expect from Taxc.
Set up Unlike the Neo Smart, the Flux requires two elements to be screwed together, which is no problem thanks to the Allen key supplied. Despite the lack of levelling, the device stands firmly on the ground thanks to the three robust feet. The rotor accepts both Shimano and Campagnolo cassettes and the corresponding end rings are included. The cassette and front wheel support are not included in the scope of delivery.
Switch on If the power supply unit is connected, an LED signals that the device is ready for operation. Calibration should always be carried out when using the device for the first time - otherwise problems may occur during training. This does not necessarily require the Tacx cycling app; programmes from other providers are also sufficient for calibration.
Pedalling The flywheel of the Flux weighs 6.7 kg, Tacx speaks of a flywheel effect of 25 kg measured on the entire device. This is sufficient for a realistic pedalling feel. Even with sudden changes in speed, the Flux provides good feedback and reacts quickly and precisely. Compared to the Tacx flagship Neo Smart, the Flux has to make concessions in terms of climbs and maximum resistance: instead of 25% climbs, the Flux can only simulate 10%, the resistance limit is 1,500, which is 700 watts less than the Neo. However, this is undoubtedly sufficient for strenuous interval training. Like the Neo Smart, the Flux can even be used as a stand-alone device without a power connection.
Disturbance The Tacx Flux Smart is comparatively quiet, the whirring noise does not seem any louder than that of its big brother Neo.
More devices in the test:
Elite Drivo
With the Drivo, Elite presents a completely newly developed smart trainer with direct drive. Compared to the previous top model Real Turbo Muin B+, the successor is slightly slimmer and can be set up without tools and in no time at all thanks to its foldable frame with height-adjustable rubber feet. The interior has been completely redesigned. Instead of a valve-controlled hydraulic clutch, an electronic eddy current brake regulates the pedalling resistance on the Drivo; the manufacturer specifies a maximum value of 2,000 watts. Another new feature is the six-kilogram flywheel, which is decoupled via a belt drive. The most important innovation, however, is the wattage measurement, which uses a power meter to measure real live data. The standard rotor is compatible with all 9-, 10- and 11-speed cassettes, and the axle adapters supplied enable the mounting of road and mountain bike wheels with quick-release and thru-axles. The device transmits its data to smartphones, tablets or PCs via Bluetooth, ANT+ and FE-C standard, with an ANT+ USB adapter (dongle) included in the scope of delivery. At the beginning of our practical test, which lasted several weeks, we paired various Android and Apple smartphones using the Elites "My E-Training" app. Initial connection problems disappeared with the app updates to Android 2.2.3 and iOS 3.2.1. The integrated watt measurement works surprisingly and remarkably accurately. The values of the Drivo and a Rotor power meter mounted on a racing bike were almost synchronised in the test, the maximum deviation of two watts is negligible. This qualifies Elite's new model for precise, watt-controlled home training, while the six-kilogram flywheel emphasises the realistic riding impression. The noise measurement revealed very discreet 50 and 54 decibels at a relaxed 200 watts (53/19, cadence 100 rpm) and an intensive 500 watts (53/19, cadence 120 rpm). In other words, the Drivo is remarkably quiet. At a gear ratio of 53/12, the racing bike gearbox drowns out the mechanics of the trainer. The software, or rather the app, is much less enthusiastic. Just two examples: The touch areas in the app layout are so small that it is almost impossible to change data during training. If you change the resistance manually, the trainer's performance drops abruptly and takes a few seconds to stabilise again, which disrupts the pedalling rhythm considerably. Conclusion: The device, quiet running and features are excellent, but the software needs to be improved soon.
+ Precise wattage measurement, very quiet, easy to install and set up, realistic ride feel
- Software not yet fully developed
Info www.paul-lange.de Price 1,390 euros
Bkool Smart Pro
The Smart Pro from Bkool is a roller trainer with an extensive electronics package that aims to bring entertainment and variety to training. The device itself consists of two parts and can therefore be stowed away quickly and stably. In addition to a front wheel support, the quick release for the rear wheel mount and the matching mains plug, the scope of delivery also includes an ANT+ USB stick, which establishes the connection between the roller trainer and the computer. Setup and commissioning are very simple, the training software is free and available for both Windows and Mac. Suitable apps for tablet computers are available for iOS and Android in the respective stores. Full functionality is available with premium access, which can be tested free of charge for 30 days; renewal currently costs ten euros with monthly billing or eight euros with a one-year subscription.
The software quickly finds and recognises the roller trainer, then training can begin. If you want, you can join one of the current sessions for a virtual training session or race if you have an online connection. In addition to currently more than 1,200 videos of various routes and professional sports races as well as countless animated routes in the 3D world, there is also the option of taking part in animated individual and team competitions on the velodrome cycling track. Users can also create their own video and 3D tracks and share them with other cyclists in the online orbit.
The pedalling feel on the roller is consistently good, the resistance adapted to the virtual terrain feels realistic - but always requires a stable internet connection. If this is not available, you may lose your hard-won place in the virtual race in one fell swoop. You may have the training effect in your legs, but your motivation is ruined. Nevertheless, the opportunity to challenge other users in a competition is motivating - and enables intensive training sessions instead of monotonous pedalling. The volume of the Bkool depends heavily on the simulated terrain. The trainer is pleasantly quiet on a steep climb, but can become annoyingly loud on a fast descent. The display of the most important data during training is clearly laid out; after the session, the data is uploaded to the user's personal area on the Bkool website. A direct upload to Strava can also be activated.
+ Enables varied training, large selection of routes, can be stowed away relatively small, stable
- No resistance can be set without an internet connection
Price 597 euros (incl. premium access for one year)
Kristian Bauer
Editor
